Renewable Sources

The idea of drawing our energy from sources that are renewable, are independent of foreign nations, and do not emit greenhouse gases has powerful appeal. But capturing these resources is expensive, and many are intermittent, which complicates using them on a large scale. Learn about renewable sources’ current contributions to our energy supply and their prospects for our energy future.

About 0.6% of the total energy consumed in the United States came from photovoltaic and solar thermal sources in 2015, but that share is growing.

Sunlight is Earth’s most abundant energy source. Yet capturing and converting its energy into usable forms is a challenge. Learn how solar energy is currently being used and the obstacles to expanding its use.

Hydroelectric sources produced about one-fourth of all U.S. renewable energy consumed in 2014 and about 2.5% of total energy consumed.

Of the renewable energy sources used to generate electricity in the United States, hydropower makes the biggest contribution. Water used to spin a turbine is a cheap, non-polluting domestic source of energy. But hydropower brings with it other environmental impacts to consider.

Wood and waste biomass, along with biofuels, accounted for about 50% of the U.S. renewable energy supply in 2014 and more than 4% of all energy consumed.

Of all the renewable sources, biomass contributes the most to the U.S. energy supply. Find out how methane from landfills, grain alcohol from corn, and even heat from municipal waste help power our nation.